Fiberglass RV production backlog

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Phil 4500

Hi Donna,

This was my boat in 1997. Note the name on the bow. I think I have you beat by a few years...

Sweeet!

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Here's the story, direct link: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post463704

Donna, thanks for the link! I've always been a Star Trek fan, although I cut my teeth on the original, which was in reruns every day when I came home from school. Consequently, William Shatner was for a while the bomb. STNG came about when I wasn't able to watch or follow much, but J.L. Picard was definitely a hero.

I wound up reading the entire thread about Ten Forward, then watching the videos of the Egg NOGs! The Bullards Beach State Park looks like heaven on earth. Everyone looked to be having a wonderful time... would love to join in one of these days!

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Ray N

Escape won't even be accepting new orders until "early 2016" - and those will all be for 2017! At least a 15 month wait time. I credit a lot of this to the favorable exchange rate with Canada.

We were contemplating buying a new 21 ft Escape .We know what options we want and we have have the money upfront to pay for the trailer. The one major problem we have is the long wait . The soonest we could get the trailer is about 18 months from today and most likely the time frame will be even longer. A lot can change in that long of a time period .
Escape makes a great trailer but I wonder how many people have decided to look elsewhere rather than wait almost 2 years,especially those purchasing their first trainer . I realize Escape is running at full production
but maybe that production level is too low to meet demand. We will most likely just stay with our trusty Casita and keep traveling.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

....but I wonder how many people have decided to look elsewhere rather than wait almost 2 years.

Probably a bunch. But when the schedule opens up there will another bunch that haven't spent long wanting/looking and the wait will seem short for them.

Then there are others, such as yourself, that will happily continue on with what they own and when the schedule opens up... will jump in. Kinda the best of both worlds.

[Jim Bennett]

Jumping into the schedule at Escape right away (or early 2016 when orders open up again), and waiting the year or so, would not be a lot different, and perhaps faster, than waiting until the wait time is shorter.

And don't forget, Escape has plans in place to increase production. I would not doubt if within a year, we see these wait time be reduced. Although, this might just encourage more orders.

[steve dunham]

We are in our later 60's so our age is a concern.
A lot our friends that we camp /camped with are in their early 70's
and are selling off their trailers due to health reasons or no longer having the ability or desire to camp / travel. I realize that at any age these issues could occur but as we age the problems seem to be more common. If we bought a new trailer ,we would want to be able to use it next summer . The point of my post was that having such a long wait period may have
a negative effect on sales in the long run.

[Bob Miller]

And... That long wait time will also boost the value of used Escapes as well as other FGRV's in similar size ranges.


To paraphrase a British Air ad of many years ago....
"Every year you don't get an FGRV is one year closer to... never... getting... one... at... all....."

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

The point of my post was that having such a long wait period may have a negative effect on sales in the long run.

Perhaps, but I doubt it. As I said, when one group drops out another new group jumps in.

The one thing we can never get back is time. The 21' Escape has been available since Summer 2013. The 5.04TA since late Spring 2014. Both models selling like gangbusters. Although we often say you snooze, you lose when it comes to used.... the same thing applies to buying new. Once you know what you want... don't delay! In the case of Escape, all it required was a $500 non-refundable deposit to get on the schedule. "If you don't, someone else will." Supply and demand at it's finest!

[John Linck]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

In the case of Escape, all it required was a $500 non-refundable deposit to get on the schedule.

I queried Scamp salefolks about their refundable deposit policy since it surprised me when I ordered my 13. The said, "There is always someone who will buy your trailer if you change your mind, so we don't mind returning your deposit."

Sure its a bit of wasted time and paperwork for them in the event of a cancellation. OTOH they do keep in touch during the building and cancelations must be rare.

Who knows how much thought Escape put into forming their policy? I doubt they get many cancelations either. It certainly would not stop me from ordering one. In Escape's case the new sticker price for a canceled trailer will no doubt be higher when a buyer cancels and Escape's commitment ends. One would think they should happily return your deposit so they could sell your trailer for a higher price.

Also, knowing that too rapid expansion had led to the demise of many small companies I have to admire their sane pace of growth. Just shows there is a market for new entrants in the RV space. Bring them on. I love choices.

John

[Timber Wolf]

All this gives one pause to consider what this seller's market might have meant to a competently operated Parkliner or Great West Trillium.

[MarkyVasquez]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We were contemplating buying a new 21 ft Escape .We know what options we want and we have have the money upfront to pay for the trailer. The one major problem we have is the long wait . The soonest we could get the trailer is about 18 months from today and most likely the time frame will be even longer. A lot can change in that long of a time period .
Escape makes a great trailer but I wonder how many people have decided to look elsewhere rather than wait almost 2 years,especially those purchasing their first trainer . I realize Escape is running at full production
but maybe that production level is too low to meet demand. We will most likely just stay with our trusty Casita and keep traveling.

We feel the same way. Escape trailers are great, but the demand is also great. I don't mind waiting for something, but two years is a long time. I might not even be around to enjoy it. We've never been the type to stand in line for days to get a new IPhone, to watch the new Star Wars movie, or buy things on sale. I'm sure all these things to some people are worth waiting for. We find life's too short and we live everyday to the fullest.
We have a Casita we can still enjoy traveling with. Maybe some day we can buy an Escape when production gets caught up or we find a great deal on an almost new slightly used one.
Happy Camping,
Marky and Norma

[Jim Bennett]

Marky, if an Escape is at all something you would like to own, why not put an order in. It really is not like waiting in a line up, where you can do nothing much but wait. While you wait for the Escape, you could still be making good use of your Casita.

Besides, when Escape does pick up production rates, it will be the ones already in line that get them first, just sooner.

[MarkyVasquez]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Marky, if an Escape is at all something you would like to own, why not put an order in. It really is not like waiting in a line up, where you can do nothing much but wait. While you wait for the Escape, you could still be making good use of your Casita.

Besides, when Escape does pick up production rates, it will be the ones already in line that get them first, just sooner.

So true Jim, Thanks! The only thing is they're not taking orders till next year!


Sent from my Z987 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Mr. W.]

...

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Paul E Henning

I have been poking around in the used Escape market, and what I am finding is that the "almost new slightly used" ones are selling for MORE, as in CONSIDERABLY MORE than new, simply because there are people who are willing to trade money for time - by buying used, they don't have to wait, and they will pay a premium for that privilege.

My boss actually quipped that I should put in an order for a year's production of Escapes, and then flip them for a $5000 premium on each one. I think that would be a good way to make enemies...

I'll just wait until they start accepting orders again, and that will give me extra time to toss pennies in the Escape jar.

Having been an Escape owner for over 6 years, and an active member of the community there, I have seen most of everything on the web for sales. I have not seen where they were at all over the cost of new, but definitely some near new ones close though.

There were a few Americans who bought back when USD and CAD were closer to parody, and what they feel is a fair price, can be slightly higher than new due to the great exchange rate coming from USD to CAD.

As well, it just goes to show how the value of Escape trailers does not drop very fast, making it a good investment. This can be said to some degree for other FG manufacturers too.

Definitely save up those pennies, as they can sure add up with options when buying new. I know that well, as it is the same for my upcoming 5.0.

[Mr. W.]

...